Amazon.com Product Description (ISBN 0786888156, Paperback)

Hailed by the New York Times as "both a treatise and a romp," a bold and brilliant novel of a man coming to terms with himself.

Now in paperback, this provocative tale within a tale details the life of avant-garde novelist and college professor Thelonious "Monk" Ellison. Monk, frustrated with his dismal book sales, composes a fierce parody of exploitative ghetto literature entitled My Pafology, which is greeted by critics as the work of a great new voice and garners him the success that he covets. Monk's impending struggle with his moral principles emerges as a revolutionary and riotous indictment of race and publishing in America.

Amazon.com Product Description (ISBN 0571215890, Paperback)

Avant-garde novelist and college professor, woodworker, and fly fisherman - Thelonious Ellison has never allowed race to define his identity. But as both a writer and an African American he is offended and angered by the success of 'We's Lives in Da Getto'.

Amazon.com Product Description (ISBN 0571215882, Hardcover)

Thelonious Ellison is an erudite but seldom-read author who writes avant-garde fiction rather than more commercially successful "ghetto" prose. However, he relents, and his parody - "My Pafology" - receives a six-figure advance and Hollywood interest. It also threatens to change his life forever.